Hello! I hope you don't hate me for the Miss Congeniality postponement, I really didn't like doing this, but again, I feel it was necessary.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Prologue
Today is the greatest day I've ever known.—Today-Smashing Pumpkins
Bella's Point of View (The Next Day)
I woke up, feeling oddly numb. I would be happy today, one way or another. I had to show him and everyone else that I was totally and completely through with all his crap. I was done waiting for him to call, to come back. Because he just wasn't going to. So I had to get on with my life as best I could, without him. And as I got ready for school this morning, I could feel my confidence building, slowly, at practically a snail's pace, but building up nonetheless. I would make some more friends, I would fit in.
At least, I'd try. I sighed, reminding myself to say happy, or seemingly happy, for now. So, plastering as genuine a smile as I could possibly manage on my face, I ran down the stairs and greeted Emmett in the best cheery voice I could pull off without sounding too strained, or, fake.
He bought it, but not without a bit of convincing.
"Are you okay?" He asked, sounding extremely suspicious. My face faltered; luckily, I was rummaging in the refrigerator for food, so he wasn't able to see it, and I grabbed a carton of milk, turning and saying, "Yeah, I'm fine, why?" He snorted. "Oh, I don't know, your seemingly best friend just stopped being your best friend, and you're happy, for the first time in five whole years, so why do I ask? Because you're acting kind've weird for a broken hearted teenage girl!" I gaped at him, then broke out into another smile. "That is the most insightful thing you've ever said! Wow!" I got him to smile a bit, though he was struggling profusely to fight it. "Awe, are you really back? For real, sis?" He asked gently. I nodded, smiling wider.
My face was starting to hurt. All this smiling turned out to be a little bit painful. But I ignored it. I couldn't turn back now, my brother's face was just to much. I couldn't bear to be unhappy anymore, anyways. And I certainly didn't want to be the cause of his pain on top of mine. So, with one last effort, I pushed unhappy-Bella deep into myself, forgetting about her. For now. I smiled for real now, laughing with Emmett joyously at my return to the world. "Ready to change out of those emo clothes now?" Emmett asked jokingly. I stopped laughing, and frowned. What was wrong with my clothes? I loved my look. I mean, I guess I did dress and act slightly emo, but I couldn't help it, I loved the style. I shook my head, smiling at Emmett.
"Sorry Emmett, but you're outta luck on that one." He merely shrugged. "At least we got you back, just in time for your…birrrthdaaay…" He dragged out. I groaned. I had totally forgotten about that small inconvenience. I hate my birthday. Mostly because I hate attention in every shape and form. At least, any attention that's directed towards me. My birthday was this Sunday, and Emmett was waggling his eyebrows evilly. "Oh, you're gonna love your birthday present. I'm getting h-it today!" I furrowed my brow, scared and anxious. I knew that look too well. That look meant that Emmett went way overboard on this. But I decided not to worry, and followed Emmett out to his Jeep, before we rode off to school half an hour early.
Edward's Point of View (The Next Day)
What have I done? I thought, horrified, as I stared at Lauren's house that lay in front of me. I hated this girl. I had always hated this girl. And now, we were going out. As in dating. As in, she was my girlfriend, dating.
What have I done? I thought to myself again, for probably the umpteenth time that morning. Taking a huge breath, I stepped from my brother's precious car; he was driving me now. And he was not happy about this, not one bit. He hated Lauren, with a passion. And now, he would barely speak to me. To him, I was a traitor. I really don't blame him. I am a traitor. I mean, going out with girls is fine, but Lauren? I mean, could she even be remotely considered a girl? I sighed, knocking on the door. She ripped it open in the middle of my first knock. Can you say pathetic? I examined her outfit, hiding my disgust as best I could. Then, something caught my eye.
Wait, what? I thought, curious. I motioned for her to come with me as I started towards the car, thinking it over. Why does she suddenly have boobs? They don't grow overnight, do they? She must have thought I was admiring her once non-existent, now slightly huge chest. Jasper, who before had had a murderous glare on his face, was trying not to laugh. I widened my eyes and shook my head furiously as he motioned o his chest, and pantomimed stuffing his shirt. Oh. My. Good. God. That is disgusting! Even Lauren wouldn't go to such great lengths, would she? I shot Jasper a warning look before hopping into the backseat with Lauren. The minute Jasper started driving, she hopped into my lap, and attacked my lips. I was scared shitless, to say the least, by this girl's forwardness, but I reminded myself of why I'd done this, and responded quickly to her, trying not to gag. Just then, Jasper cleared his throat, and said loudly, "Lauren, please get in your own seat and put your belt on. I don't want to get into an accident and have your pretty little face getting hurt, n do I?" But the look on his own face said differently. I pushed her away enough to say, "Jasper," in a warning tone, before being pulled back by Lauren. Apparently, we were in full makeout mode in the morning, I thought to myself. I kept my eyes open, wishing that this drive was considerably shorter. Finally, we arrived at the school, and I had a reason to break away from Lauren's death grip.
I pulled away, and when I saw the hurt look on her face, I said, "We're here," she smiled, and rubbed my cheek. I winced slightly as one of her fake nails nicked my cheek. If she noticed, she made no sign of it. I breathed a silent sigh of relief as we hopped out of the car, thinking that I was safe on school grounds.
But I was so, so wrong.
She pushed me roughly against the car door, and I heard Jasper's protests, as she attacked my lips. I responded; it was the only thing I could do. This girl was really starting to freak me out. Just as Lauren started to slide her hands up my shirt, I heard the one voice I didn't want to hear.
"Edward?" She exclaimed.
Oh, no, Bella. Oh god, she'd seen. I hadn't meant for this to happen.
But, wait, hadn't you? I sucked in a breath, and almost choked, as it was Lauren's breath I had stolen. It tasted of rotten eggs, and sour milk. Gross, I thought. But I kept kissing Lauren, as much as I wanted to run after Bella and tell her it was going to be okay. It must have hurt her so much.
And once again, I was left with only one thought.
What have I done?
Bella's Point of View
Edward was sucking face with Lauren. Why? He couldn't like her?
Oh, but he could. I'd been gone for five years, well, I hadn't been in his life for five years, it was very much possible that he liked the disgusting excuse for a human being.
And he's not the Edward you once knew anymore, Bella. He's now Edward the Jerk, Edward the Player. I reminded myself of this, and forced myself back from the dangerous unhappy-Bella that was lurking in the dark, forgotten place inside me. I forced myself to be happy-Bella, likeable Bella, and followed after Emmett. Once I caught up to Em, I smiled and waved. He smiled back cautiously, and I followed his gaze and saw why. "I'm fine, Em," I mouthed to him, before joining his friends, introducing myself to them.
"I'm Bella, Emmett's sister, and you are?" I started off right away, choosing the closest person, a baby-faced boy with blonde, perfectly spiky hair. He smiled an overly-friendly smile, which I ignored, and shook my hand.
"Hey, babe, I'm Mike, you know, the Mike Newton." I frowned.
"Uh, sorry, no, I don't," Emmett burst out laughing at my obvious confusion at Mike's introduction. I shrugged, mumbling a 'sorry' to Mike, before moving to the next guy. He was really tall, with thick, straight black hair, and I goofy face and smile. But not ugly goofy, the contagious goofy. I couldn't help but smile as I held out my hand. "Hey, Bella, I'm Shane, nice to finally talk to you." I blushed furiously at his comment. I wasn't used to this whole friends/introduction thing at all. Swallowing heavily, I was introduced to three out of the four last guys, and then moved on to the fourth. And when I saw him, I forgot all about Edward, all about how much I'd liked him, and fell for this guy. He had dirty-blonde hair that was spiked with gel in the front, and dimples that any girl would consider amazing. His smile was perfect, and he was pretty muscular, not too burly, like Emmett, but well-built. "h-Hi" I managed to squeak out. He smiled wider, and took my hand warmly, shaking it before saying, "Well, hello there, Bella," I nodded, gulping, and he then proceeded to fully introduce himself. "My name is Damien. Pleasure to meet you." I almost swooned then and there.
"You too—Damien." He let go of my hand, but not before kissing it. Oh yeah, this guy was definitely swoon-worthy, in every way. I sighed as the bell rang, and started to hurry to class, but a hand stopped me, turning me around. "Yes, Emmett?" I said, still in Damien-land.
"Bella, you like him." Okay, that killed my mood. Damn! He knew. But I decided to play innocent anyways, and said sweetly, "Like who, Emmy-bear?" he growled. "Don't play stupid, Isabella. You know exactly who I mean." I sighed in defeat. "Fine, just, please don't tell him." He looked taken aback. "I think it's awesome that you like Damien, he's a good guy, and he likes you back, why not?" This time, I growled, grabbing his ear and pulling it down to my mouth. Emmett yelped in surprise and in pain, and I said menacingly in his ear, "Tell him I like him, and mom and dad will mysteriously find out where their –protection—went." His eyes widened as I released him, and he glared at me. "You wouldn't." He tried to sound unaffected, but he looked seriously scared. "Oh, I would." He gulped, and nodded. "Point taken."
And with that, we both went our separate ways, late for class. Oops, twice in a row, I'm screwed. Oh, well.
Edward's Point of View
I had just escaped Lauren, and looked around the parking lot, thinking I'd find a very crushed Bella.
And I found her. But she was happy. In fact, she was more than happy, she looked like she had just seen a god. I followed her gaze and groaned.
Damn you, Damien! I thought to myself angrily. Then I reasoned that I had no right whatsoever to be mad; I was going out with Lauren, right? But still, I couldn't help but feel mad at him. And frustrated and hurt by her. Had she really gotten over yesterday that quickly? Did I really mean that little to Bella?
I was going to think it over more, when I heard the late bell ring.
Shit! I thought. Already late, I rushed off to class, with no time to think about Bella or anything else for that matter.
Class was uneventful, however, the walks to and from my classes was… interesting. Lauren intercepted me and dragged me away to makeout in the janitor's closet every time she got the chance. What's worse, Bella didn't seem at all affected by this. She just looked and laughed at me. One time, I'd been close enough to hear her say to Mike, "Look at them, the two whores finally found their other halves."
That hurt. More than anything. She thought I was just another manwhore.
But after spending all of lunch thinking about this,--which, the fact that I could even manage to think for a few moments was insane, what with Lauren all over me 24/7—I began to feel angry. So what? Her opinion meant nothing. She was a nobody, a nobody I should not care about right now. So I forced myself not to. I forced myself to just brush her off, and, finally, put away the part of me Bella possessed, and become the Edward everyone wanted me to be. The Player. The Jock. All-American football star with the good grades, and the perfect life. And, for once, I felt happy.
And I also felt more. I felt utter hatred for the girl I had once loved so much. And I smiled, knowing that I'd finally gotten rid of the dead weight that she had been. I sighed, and turned to Lauren, actually responding with real enthusiasm to her.
I'd become the Edward everyone had wanted to be, and I felt happy.
I mean, I was happy.
Right?